Stepping into the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, the initial impression is undeniably one of luxury. As expected from the Mercedes-Benz marque, even as an entry-level model, the cabin boasts quality materials and a premium feel. The dashboard is neatly integrated with a 7-inch LCD screen showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s sophisticated navigation system, while Harmon Kardon speakers promise and deliver an immersive audio experience with crisp, clear sound throughout the car.
The Upsides of the 2014 CLA 250
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 shines with its advanced navigation system, presenting visually appealing and informative maps that dynamically adjust routes based on real-time traffic conditions. The optional Harman Kardon sound system is a standout, providing exceptional audio clarity for music enthusiasts. Furthermore, the fuel economy is commendable, averaging around 30 mpg, making it a relatively efficient luxury vehicle.
Areas for Improvement in the CLA 250
However, the CLA 250 is not without its drawbacks. The ride quality is notably harsh, especially for a vehicle bearing the Mercedes-Benz name, falling short of the smooth, comfortable experience typically associated with the brand. Engine power delivery can also feel inconsistent, and the built-in applications are frustratingly slow to load, impacting the overall tech experience.
Final Verdict: Style and Tech, But Compromised Ride in the 2014 CLA 250
The 2014 CLA 250 offers a blend of stylish aesthetics and Mercedes-Benz technology, making it an attractive entry into the luxury segment. However, its driving dynamics, particularly the jarring ride quality, detract from the otherwise premium experience. Potential buyers should weigh the appealing tech and design against the less refined driving characteristics.
Driving Dynamics: A Departure from Mercedes-Benz Norms
Once on the road, the 2014 CLA 250 presents a driving experience that deviates from the typical Mercedes-Benz feel. The ride quality, in particular, lacks the signature smoothness found in models like the S550 or even the GLK250. Bumps and road imperfections are more pronounced, making the ride less comfortable than expected from a luxury car.
Mercedes-Benz CLA250: Compact Luxury in Pictures
Mercedes-Benz ventured into the compact luxury market with the CLA 250, a segment previously unexplored in the US. This move came as competitors like Lexus with the CT 200h and Audi with the A3 successfully carved out niches in this space, prompting Mercedes-Benz to respond.
Instead of introducing the existing A-Class to the American market, Mercedes-Benz opted for the more stylish CLA 250 to uphold its brand image. Despite being a four-door sedan, it’s marketed as a coupe, positioning it as a smaller sibling to the CLS-Class, sharing a similar curved roofline.
The CLA 250‘s design is characterized by strong contour lines along its sides and a prominent Mercedes-Benz star logo dominating the distinctive grille. This large badge cleverly conceals the radar system that powers the car’s adaptive cruise control. The rear design features an upward sweep, revealing dual rectangular exhaust outlets, flanked by non-functional decorative vents.
Mercedes-Benz effectively applied design cues from the CLS-Class to the more compact CLA 250. Measuring just over 15 feet in length, the car offers ample front legroom and adequate headroom throughout. The dashboard design includes five retro-style air vents, and the instrument gauges reflect classic Mercedes-Benz sophistication.
Efficient Engine and Performance of the 2014 CLA 250
As Mercedes-Benz’s entry in the economy segment, the CLA 250 is equipped with a 2-liter four-cylinder engine featuring direct injection and a turbocharger. This powertrain delivers 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the CLA 250 achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Real-world driving tests have shown an average fuel economy of approximately 29 mpg, aligning closely with these estimates.
Consistent with other Mercedes-Benz models, the CLA 250 features a steering column-mounted shifter, freeing up console space for cupholders and the COMAND system controller. The test model included the Multimedia package, which incorporates the COMAND system. Additional packages such as the Sport package, Premium package, and Driver Assistance package increased the vehicle’s price from a base of $29,900 to over $45,000 as tested.
The CLA 250 showcases sporty design elements, but the rear side vents are purely cosmetic. A button on the center console allows drivers to select between Eco, Sport, and Manual transmission modes, and a separate Eco button activates the idle-stop feature.
The idle-stop system in the CLA 250 is quite aggressive, shutting off the engine quickly when braking at stops. While intended to save fuel, the engine restart can be abrupt and less refined than expected from Mercedes-Benz.
Accelerator response can also be unpredictable, with the engine sometimes surging as the turbocharger engages. In Eco mode, accelerating for passing can result in noticeable hesitation before the car accelerates. The transmission’s programming in Eco mode, aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency, can lead to frequent gear changes in city driving, making it challenging to maintain a consistent speed.
In stop-and-go conditions, the idle-stop feature’s intrusiveness might lead drivers to disable it.
Ride Comfort and Handling of the 2014 CLA 250
Rough road surfaces present a significant challenge for the CLA 250‘s suspension and passenger comfort. Even minor road imperfections can translate into harsh jolts within the cabin, followed by unsettling secondary motions. On gravelly surfaces, the ride can feel coarse and noisy, detracting from the luxury experience.
The ride quality might lead some to consider upgrading to a more expensive Mercedes-Benz model for improved comfort.
Even for a compact Mercedes-Benz, the CLA 250‘s ride can be surprisingly jarring over bumps. An air suspension is not offered for the CLA 250, which uses a wishbone suspension design both front and rear, unlike the multilink setups found in larger Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The Sport package on the test vehicle included a stiffer suspension tune and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels with low-profile run-flat tires, which are often cited as contributors to poor ride quality.
However, the CLA 250‘s Sport package demonstrates its merits on winding roads. In spirited driving through corners, the car handles commendably. The suspension maintains good body control and balance, effectively managing understeer. The electric power steering, while somewhat lacking in feedback and sharp turn-in, is precise and easy to manage.
In Sport mode, the transmission becomes more aggressive during enthusiastic driving, holding higher revs through corners and downshifting proactively under braking. However, using Sport mode for normal driving can be less pleasant, as it exacerbates the engine surging issues noted in Eco mode, making smooth, slow-speed driving challenging.
Technology and Cabin Features of the 2014 CLA 250
The radar system in the CLA 250 enables features like adaptive cruise control and collision warning. On freeways, the CLA 250 is more comfortable, especially with Distronic Plus, Mercedes-Benz’s adaptive cruise control system. This feature, available even at the entry-level, maintains set speeds and adjusts to traffic flow, capable of bringing the car to a complete stop if necessary.
Additional driver aids include blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning. The blind-spot monitor activates above 20 mph, while the lane-departure warning provides subtle steering wheel vibrations, simulating rumble strips, when drifting out of lane.
The CLA 250 inherits the full-featured COMAND cabin tech system from higher-end Mercedes-Benz models. The interface is user-friendly once accustomed to it, featuring a top menu bar for primary functions like navigation, phone, and media, and a bottom bar for function-specific options. Control is managed through a console-mounted jog dial.
Voice command functionality is extensive, allowing for single-string address entry, contact-based phone calls, and media selection from USB or iOS devices by album, artist, or track.
The navigation system in the CLA 250 features detailed maps with topographic and 3D building renderings in urban areas. Route guidance is clear with rich graphics and voice prompts, and the system incorporates real-time traffic data with rerouting and audible traffic alerts.
Destination input options include a shortcut to Mercedes-Benz apps like Google search and Yelp. However, these apps and online music services, located in a separate online services menu, suffer from slow loading times due to sluggish data connectivity, diminishing their usability.
The CLA 250 offers a standard array of audio sources, including HD radio and an onboard hard drive. Uniquely, it includes a proprietary media port with a Y-adapter for auxiliary and 30-pin iPhone connections, which is less convenient than a standard USB port for modern iOS devices. While a USB port is present, it’s incompatible with iOS Lightning cables without an adapter, which can degrade audio quality. Bluetooth audio streaming is available but lacks Bluetooth Host Controller Interface stack, requiring music selection to be done on the phone itself.
The cover flow interface for music selection is user-friendly and minimizes driver distraction. For onboard audio, music can be selected via voice command or through the car’s LCD interface, including browsing by album art.
The Harman Kardon audio system, part of the Premium package, is a highlight, featuring nine speakers that deliver exceptional clarity, particularly in the mid and high ranges. However, bass response is somewhat lacking in this system.
Conclusion: Weighing the Pros and Cons of the 2014 CLA 250 Mercedes-Benz
The 2014 CLA 250 Mercedes-Benz makes a strong statement in terms of available technology, especially driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, which are part of the Driver Assistance package. The COMAND interface and cabin tech are also commendable, carried over from higher-priced models.
While the inclusion of native internet connectivity for built-in apps is a plus, the slow connection speeds are a significant drawback. The proprietary media connector with a legacy 30-pin iOS adapter also feels like a step backward in terms of modern connectivity.
The CLA 250‘s drivetrain, featuring direct injection and turbocharging, reflects modern engine technology focused on efficiency and power. Fuel economy figures are indeed respectable. However, the driving experience, particularly the ride quality and engine’s uneven power delivery, needs refinement.
Ultimately, the ride quality is the most significant letdown, falling short not only of Mercedes-Benz standards but also compared to mainstream economy cars. Opting out of the Sport package and its run-flat tires might improve ride comfort, but as tested, the 2014 CLA 250 struggles to fully embody the Mercedes-Benz brand promise.
2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Tech Specs
| Tech specs | |
|---|---|
| Model | 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 |
| Trim | n/a |
| Powertrain | Turbocharged direct-injection 2-liter four-cylinder engine, seven-speed automatic transmission |
| EPA fuel economy | 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway |
| Observed fuel economy | 28.9 mpg |
| Navigation | Optional, with live traffic |
| Bluetooth phone support | Standard |
| Digital audio sources | Internet streaming, Bluetooth streaming, onboard hard drive, iOS integration, USB drive, satellite radio, HD radio |
| Audio system | Harman Kardon 450-watt system |
| Driver aids | Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, rearview camera |
| Base price | $29,900 |
| Price as tested | $45,245 |
